Acting At The Right Time - Kaalam Arithal

I happened to think of this Thirukkural as I was walking today when I remembered the one below from Kaalam Arithal (kural no. 490).

கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்

குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.

Meaning it's imperative that the crane wait until the right moment to catch the fish.

I thought about the instances where not waiting for the right moment is suggested.

• Generally Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) are recommended than a lump sum Investment at the "right" time. Of course an SIP may also misfire. It's commonly advised that we don't try to time the market.
• Taxis and autorickshaws in Chennai generally try to get few lucrative customers. Their Bombay counterparts usually take any customer that comes by even if the distance the customer wants to travel is only one km. The ones that make more money is the Bombay taxis, other things being equal (cost of per km, rental for taxi, fuel cost etc).
• Richard Thaler might suggest that a nudge towards a better timing might be more lucrative.

In light of all this, one wonders. Should we wait for the right moment to strike? Of course, that it depends on the circumstances or one has to have balance are trivial responses.

Additional Reading:

1. http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2017/08/thirukkural-on-farming-and-agriculture.html
2. http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/02/thondrir-pugazhodu-thondruga.html